Preserving and promoting Fort Smith’s vibrant past is no easy feat. In fact, we [Fort Smith CVB] would say that it is, at its core, a community effort. And at Miss Laura’s Visitor Center — home to Fort Smith CVB — that effort has been supported by some of the community’s most passionate tourism & hospitality ambassadors. Thus making it our absolute honor to recognize Miss Laura’s STARRS as our newest Hometown Hospitality Heroes of 2017!

Comprised of 70 volunteers, Miss Laura’s STARRS — nicknamed after the notorious frontier bandit queen Belle Starr — truly are the stars of Miss Laura’s and one of the main reasons that visitors find the Visitors Center, and the city, so fascinating. Working together to provide staffing during two daily 3.5 hour shifts, their time dedication enables the Visitors Center to remain open 7 days per week from 9AM-4PM on Monday through Saturday and 1PM-4:30PM on Sundays.

Armed with a friendly smile, Western vest complete with Deputy Marshal badge, and a barrel full of first-hand knowledge on all the things to do and see in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Miss Laura’s STARRS set out to make visitors feel welcomed and well-informed about the city they know and love so well.

Initiated and still directed by the Fort Smith CVB’s Tour & Travel Sales Manager, Carolyn Joyce, this volunteer program has been in place since October of 1992, with several of its Charter Members still active volunteers.

“They are ‘the heart’ of Miss Laura’s Visitor Center,” Joyce said. “Without their unfailing support, we would not exist, and these volunteers truly love the work they do to make visitors feel welcome.”

Some of Miss Laura’s STARRS pose for a photograph during their annual appreciation trip.

So, not only during the 25th Anniversary month of Carolyn Joyce’s portrayal of Miss Laura and the creation of Miss Laura’s STARRS, but also on the eve of Fort Smith’s bicentennial year, we could not be any happier to show our gratitude to you, our faithful volunteers, for the tremendous value you’ve added to our area’s tourism and hospitality industry over the last quarter-of-a-century!

Interested in becoming one of Miss Laura’s STARRS? Just Send an email to Tourism@FortSmith.org to let Miss Laura know!!!